EPA awards $13.6M contract for laboratory identification systems modernization to MRIGLOBAL

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,568,279 ($13.6M)

Contractor: Mriglobal

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-01-22

End Date: 2026-06-17

Contract Duration: 511 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PORTABLE HIGH THROUGHPUT INTEGRATED LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS (PHILIS) PLATFORM MODERNIZATION 2.0

Place of Performance

Location: EDISON, MIDDLESEX County, NEW JERSEY, 08837

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $13.6 million to MRIGLOBAL for work described as: PORTABLE HIGH THROUGHPUT INTEGRATED LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS (PHILIS) PLATFORM MODERNIZATION 2.0 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to MRIGLOBAL for modernization of laboratory identification systems. 2. Focus on enhancing the PHILIS platform for improved identification capabilities. 3. Contract duration extends to mid-2026, indicating a medium-term project. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the agency. 5. The award is for a single definitive contract. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336211 relates to motor vehicle body manufacturing, which may require further clarification regarding its applicability to laboratory identification systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.6 million for a definitive contract of 511 days (approximately 17 months) appears to be within a reasonable range for a platform modernization effort. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the complexity of the PHILIS platform, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar IT modernization contracts for laboratory systems would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness. The firm fixed price structure offers predictability but could limit flexibility if unforeseen technical challenges arise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open competition suggests a robust process was followed. The agency's commitment to this method is a positive indicator for achieving fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and the assurance that the agency sought the best value through an open bidding process.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will benefit from an upgraded laboratory identification system. The modernization of the PHILIS platform is expected to enhance the agency's ability to identify and track laboratory samples and data. This upgrade is likely to support environmental monitoring and research activities across the nation. The project may involve IT professionals and laboratory technicians, potentially impacting the workforce within the EPA or its contractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The applicability of NAICS code 336211 (Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing) to a laboratory identification system modernization project raises questions about the procurement process and potential misclassification.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or specific deliverables in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the expected outcomes and success criteria.
The duration of the contract (511 days) is moderate, but the scope of modernization for the PHILIS platform is not fully defined, potentially leading to scope creep or underestimation of effort.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency, mitigating budget risks.
The contract is awarded to MRIGLOBAL, a known entity, implying a level of trust in their capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on specialized laboratory information management systems. Modernizing such platforms is crucial for government agencies like the EPA to maintain efficient data handling, regulatory compliance, and scientific research capabilities. The market for laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is competitive, with various vendors offering solutions tailored to specific scientific and regulatory needs. Benchmarking this contract's value against other LIMS modernization projects or significant IT system upgrades within federal agencies would provide further context on its market positioning.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, MRIGLOBAL, will determine any subcontracting opportunities based on their project needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified scope within the agreed budget. Transparency regarding the contract's progress and outcomes would typically be available through federal procurement databases and agency reporting. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the EPA's IG mandate and any specific audits or investigations initiated related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Federal IT Modernization Programs
Scientific Data Management

Risk Flags

NAICS Code Mismatch
Undefined Scope of Work
Limited Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $13.6 million to MRIGLOBAL. PORTABLE HIGH THROUGHPUT INTEGRATED LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS (PHILIS) PLATFORM MODERNIZATION 2.0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MRIGLOBAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-22. End: 2026-06-17.

What is the specific functionality and scope of the PHILIS platform modernization 2.0?

The provided data does not detail the specific functionalities or scope of the PHILIS platform modernization 2.0. It is understood to be an upgrade to existing laboratory identification systems. A comprehensive understanding would require reviewing the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). This would outline the specific technical requirements, software/hardware upgrades, data migration needs, integration with other systems, and expected performance improvements. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the complexity and true value of the modernization effort beyond the stated contract value.

How does the $13.6 million contract value compare to similar laboratory information system modernization projects within the federal government?

Benchmarking the $13.6 million contract value against similar federal IT modernization projects, particularly those involving laboratory information systems, is challenging without more specific data on the scope and deliverables. However, for a project spanning approximately 17 months (511 days) with a firm fixed price, this amount suggests a significant undertaking. Larger-scale LIMS implementations or overhauls can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the agency's size, the system's complexity, and the number of users. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify comparable contracts by agency, system type (e.g., environmental, health, defense labs), and project duration. The current data suggests a substantial investment, but its relative value requires further comparative analysis.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for the PHILIS platform modernization 2.0 contract. Typically, for IT modernization projects, success metrics would include factors such as system uptime, data accuracy, processing speed improvements, user adoption rates, reduction in manual processes, and enhanced security. The firm fixed price contract structure implies that the contractor is responsible for meeting defined performance standards. A thorough review of the contract's SOW or PWS would be necessary to identify the specific KPIs and how performance will be measured and evaluated by the EPA.

What is MRIGLOBAL's track record with similar federal IT modernization contracts, particularly for laboratory systems?

Information regarding MRIGLOBAL's specific track record with similar federal IT modernization contracts, especially for laboratory systems, is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would involve researching the company's past performance on government contracts, including project scope, client agencies, contract values, and performance ratings. Databases like SAM.gov or FPDS can offer insights into their contract history. Understanding their experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or similar scientific data platforms would be crucial in evaluating their capability to successfully execute this modernization effort.

What is the historical spending pattern for laboratory identification systems or the PHILIS platform by the EPA?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for laboratory identification systems or the PHILIS platform by the EPA. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access federal procurement databases (e.g., FPDS, USASpending.gov) and search for contracts awarded by the EPA related to laboratory identification systems, LIMS, or the PHILIS platform over previous fiscal years. This would reveal trends in investment, identify previous contractors, and potentially highlight the evolution of spending on such systems, providing context for the current $13.6 million award.

What are the potential risks associated with modernizing the PHILIS platform, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks associated with modernizing the PHILIS platform could include technical challenges during integration, data migration issues, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, user resistance to change, and potential cost overruns if the scope is not well-defined (though mitigated by FFP). Cybersecurity risks are paramount for any government IT system. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust testing, phased rollouts, comprehensive training, strong cybersecurity protocols, and clear communication channels between the EPA and MRIGLOBAL. The firm fixed price contract structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively, but careful oversight is still required to ensure quality and timely delivery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERH24R0033

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 425 DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64110

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,568,279

Exercised Options: $13,568,279

Current Obligation: $13,568,279

Actual Outlays: $5,215,312

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $6,838,344

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline